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Bertec’s BalanceCheck™ systems are devised to achieve these
goals. The BalanceCheck™ systems are designed to quantify a
person's ability to maintain balance through postural sway
measurements. Increased postural sway is a strong indicator
of poor balance and a leading cause of falls. Using the BalanceCheck™ test protocols, a clinician may determine the
cause of the balance problem. With the training protocols,
that problem may be corrected.
BalanceCheck™ has a very simple testing process. While the
subject stands on the balance plate, strain gage force
sensors at each corner of the plate collect data. This is
processed to compute the motion of the center of pressure (CoP),
which is then compared to the Standard Limit of Stability of
the subject. This information is used to produce printable
reports displaying the Stability Score along with other
balance related parameters. The physician report also
displays normative data for age matched normal population
for comparison purposes.
The setup of the system is very easy. The digital
balance plate plugs into the USB port of a computer, and
the BalanceCheck™ software installation takes only minutes.
With effortless setup and user-friendly assessment and
training protocols, BalanceCheck™ is ideal for physicians,
physical and occupational therapists, audiologists, nursing
homes, and research. Many clinicians use our system when a
patient complains of being dizzy or having balance
problems. BalanceCheck™ identifies which body system is not
functioning correctly – visual, vestibular, or
proprioceptive. Nursing homes and clinics are using the
system to identify which clients have a greater likelihood
of falling. Therapists are using the training protocols for
balance rehabilitation and then evaluating the progress
using the assessment tests. BalanceCheck™ is invaluable to
those working with the elderly, injured athletes or workers,
and stroke or Parkinson’s patients.
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Balance Assessment
The BalanceCheck™ software measures stability, with eyes open
and eyes closed, on a hard level surface, as well as on a
compliant foam surface. These tests mimic the surfaces
people encounter in daily living. The rigid balance plate
surface is much like a tile floor or a cement sidewalk;
while the foam surface simulates plush carpeting, deep
grass, or a gravel walkway. An additional Limit of
Stability test measures the maximum range the subject can
comfortably maintain balance in forward, backward, left, and
right directions. For safety reasons, this test requires a
support structure and harness, which is included with the
system.
The BalanceCheck™ software allows the clinician to select
which test to perform and in which order, thus tailoring the
specific protocol to the specific patient. Instructions
included for each test specify when to stand on the
platform, how to position the feet, and what to do during
the test. |
Patient safety for the
Limit of Stability Test
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Tests the subject's ability to maintain balance
on a hard surface with eyes open. Allows the
subject to use all his senses to maintain
balance. |
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Tests the subject's ability to maintain balance
on a hard surface with eyes closed. Requires
the subject to rely on vestibular and
proprioceptive systems. Difficulty could
indicate heavy reliance on visual cues. |
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Tests the subject's ability to maintain balance
on a compliant surface with eyes open. Requires
the subject to rely on visual and vestibular
systems. |
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Tests the subject's ability to maintain balance
on a compliant surface with eyes closed. This
removes vision and conflicts proprioception.
Difficulty could indicate vestibular problems. |
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Tests the maximum range of movement in sagittal
and lateral directions the subject can sustain
without losing balance. |
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Each test protocol runs for 10 seconds. At the end of each
test a printable report is generated that gives a stability
score based on the patient’s performance and age-matched
data.
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A patient learns what to expect for his Balance
Training |
Balance Training
The Balance Training part of the system incorporates three
aspects of training: Static Balance Training, Dynamic
Balance Training, and Limit of Stability Training. These
training protocols are suitable for rehabilitating those
with balance disorders and training athletes who seek to
improve their performance.
The difficulty level in each session can be changed by
varying different session parameters, including but not
limited to: surface type, number of feet, target size,
target speed, time duration, target path, and target
location. Some of the session parameters are normalized with
respect to the Limit of Stability of the individual patient
undergoing training. Adjustable parameters allow the
clinician to tailor the training to the individual’s
rehabilitative needs while allowing the same system to be
used for hundreds of patients.
The Static Balance Training protocol trains the patient to
control his or her Center of Gravity (CoG) at different
static postures such as standing on one foot or both feet
and on different surfaces such as rigid or compliant. The
patient tries to keep the CoG in a confined area. This
target has adjustable position and size. The length of the
time period for training is also adjustable. |
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The Dynamic Balance Training protocol can be used to train
patients to control the CoG under dynamic conditions while
the body is moving. The protocol entails moving the CoG to
follow moving targets along a variety of paths or moving his
or her CoG along different paths at a comfortable pace. The
speed and the size of the path pattern are adjustable for
each patient. In addition, training can be performed on both
rigid and compliant surfaces.
The Limit of Stability Training protocol is designed to
facilitate the patient’s ability to voluntarily shift the
body center of gravity (CoG) to specific locations and
maintain the body at that location for a specified amount of
time. This session aims at improving reaction time and sway
velocity while shifting the CoG. The locations and size of
the target positions are adjustable, and training can be
performed either in a sequential or random mode.
Bertec Balance Systems
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System |
Assessment |
Training |
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NSEO |
NSEC |
PSEO |
PSEC |
LOS |
ST |
DT |
LOST |
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BalanceCheck Screener |
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BalanceCheck |
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BalanceCheck Screener
& Trainer |
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BalanceCheck & Trainer |
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Balance Assessment
NSEO: Normal
Stability - Eyes Open
NSEC: Normal Stability - Eyes Closed
PSEO: Perturbed Stability - Eyes Open
PSEC: Perturbed Stability - Eyes Closed
LOS: Limit of Stability |
Balance Training
ST: Static
Training
DT: Dynamic Training
LOST: Limit of Stabilit Training |
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System |
Training Handrails |
Overhead Structure
& Harness |
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BalanceCheck Screener |
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BalanceCheck |
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BalanceCheck Screener & Trainer |
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BalanceCheck & Trainer |
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 The BalanceCheck™ Screener is more portable, economic
version of the system. The Screener system does not
incorporate the Limit of Stability test in the protocol;
therefore, no support structure is included with the system.
The BalanceCheck™ is the complete assessment system perfect
for a physician’s office. As it includes limit of stability
in its testing protocols, BalanceCheck™ comes with the
overhead safety structure and body harness.
BalanceCheck™ Screener and Trainer offers the same testing
protocols as BalanceCheck™ Screener, but also includes
balance training. With static, dynamic, and limit of
stability balance training, this system works well for those
wishing to perform initial evaluations and then
rehabilitation. The handrails will assist in the
rehabilitation process.
BalanceCheck™ and Trainer is our complete balance package.
It includes all testing protocols and training practices in
addition to the handrails and overhead safety structure with
the body harness. Thorough assessment and rehabilitation is
possible with the BalanceCheck™ and Trainer system. Even
the most unsteady patient can be evaluated and trained with
our safety structures.
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Billing and Coding
The BalanceCheck™ system can be billed with the following
CPT codes:
Assessment:
Training:
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97001 – Initial Evaluation
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97110 – Therapeutic Exercises
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97112 – Neuromuscular Reeducation
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97530 – Functional Exercises
More Information
For detailed information,
please have a look at the BalanceCheck™ system brochure, the BalanceCheck™Manuals, or the Physicians Quick Guide.
For questions or pricing information, contact us or use our email form for a Quick Quote. 
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